Europe captain Colin Montgomerie delivered his rallying call on the eve of the Ryder Cup at the competition's opening ceremony.

Montgomerie declared it the proudest moment of his golfing career, and promised that his team would play with 'heart, passion and with purpose'.

He introduced the 12 members of his team, saying that they had made the team through 'raw talent, hard work and dedication to the game.' Montgomerie also delivered a rousing reminder that his men can become heroes.

Earlier US team Captain Corey Pavin
made a humble and gracious speech before introducing the members of his
side. Tiger Woods received a huge welcome roar from the Celtic Manor
crowd, but, unfortunately for Pavin, he neglected to introduce Stewart
Cink until it was pointed out his mistake.

Montgomerie had puffed out his chest, jutted his jaw, put on his most earnest expression and before introducing his Ryder Cup team announced: 'This is without question the proudest moment of my golfing career.'

Ready for action: Montgomerie introduced his team to the watching Celtic Manor crowd

He told Europe's six rookies in
particular: 'There is nothing to compare with standing on the first
tee. It is an atmosphere which is indescribable. It is golf's greatest
contest.

'You know your name will be written into the rich history of the Ryder Cup forever.'

There was a sense that, at last,
this was Montgomerie's time. His career to date has seen him claim
eight European Order of Merits as well as rise to a high of No.2 in the
world, but he has never won the major which would have conferred
immortality. This weekend offers him a place in golf's hall of legends.

He insists he takes no personal
glory from his superb playing record in the Ryder Cup in which he has
amassed 23.5 points, only 1.5 short of Nick Faldo's record.

Montgomerie's speech was a vast improvement on the last effort from a European captain.

Nick Faldo was widely criticised for
rambling on about his family, giving rookie Soren Hansen the wrong name
(Soren Stenson), asking Ulsterman Graeme McDowell whether he was from
the north or the south and saying that Padraig Harrington had hit more
practice shots than there are potatoes in Ireland.

His speech was a train wreck. An
embarrassment. The performance of his team was poor, too. Perhaps after
this speech from Monty, there will be a change of fortune on the course.

Trouble and strife: Lisa Pavin (left) and Gaynor Montgomerie lead out the Wives and Girlfriends at the Opening Ceremony